Magical serigraphs

Artist Sakti Burman works have been likened to the incomparable Marc Chagall, writes Nirmala Ravindran.

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Nirmala Ravindran

February 22, 2010

UPDATED: February 22, 2010 14:41 IST

His works have been likened to the incomparable Marc Chagall. And yet, Sakti Burman admits that his deepest influences have always come from the memories he carries of his childhood in Bangladesh (then unified India).

Sakti Burman and Lavesh Jagasia

An accomplished sculptor, painter and lithographer, Burman has published several portfolios of his lithographs. Not too many people know that the Paris-based artist of Indian origin has illustrated several books including a collection of Mallarme's poems.

His works weave a tapestry that blurs the lines between realism and fantasy. Exotic birds, animals, trees and objects find themselves placed in oneiric landscapes of textured frescos.

"My childhood memories are always with me and they keep getting mixed up with the realities of the day. As an artist working abroad, memory is doubly important for me to sustain the creative life," he says of his journey.

Krishna

Daughter Maya Burman, niece Jayasri Burman and her husband Paresh Maity form part of the artistic family tree. It was Burman who first attempted the technique of marbelising in oil, a craft he has perfected over the years.

His crowded canvases are filled with magic realism and populated by boats (a constant), men and women, clowns and the blending of erotica in spite of which the works come across as homely, secure and peaceful in their setting.

Sacre Coeur

"In the 50's I was influenced by furntiture and chimneys that Bonnard painted. I also admired Picasso and Matisse," says Burman as he gears for an exclusive show of serigraphs to mark his 75th birthday.

The Serigraph Studio took three years to curate the limited edition serigraphs show titled The Complete collection. With 24 serigraphs based on paitings that were milestones in Burman's artistic journey.

"The life of an artist is to collect many things and reject many things," says Burman and this is clearly evident in his work. The rich images jostling for space within the frames speak of beauty and aesthetics that border between the real and the surreal. His selective process has resulted in six decades of enriching art.